|
Back in the days of colonial imperialism and the Orient Express, train rides were still an adventure, an indulgent and luxurious means of exploring new lands throughout the world. Well, a joint venture between Italy and Switzerland is trying to recapture some of that old magic, in their Cisalpino. The train runs from Geneva to Venice, with stops in Milan and other major Italian and Swiss cities. The crown jewel of the rail system, it is one of the most beautiful sets of trains running in Europe today, and it's also extremely convenient for those travelling through the major stops in Northern Italy. The train is perfect for those who want to make the most out of their time on the train. Instead of just getting you to a destination, a ride on the Cisalpino is an experience in itself.
Riding The Cisalpino
1.The Class Debate- Is first class worth it? The answer depends on who you talk to, but one thing is for sure, first class has become a service more geared towards vacation travelers than businesspeople. Obviously more expensive than the second class service, it also includes a lot of luxuries like larger seats, less crowded cars and free newspapers.
a.The Short Trip- This is a short jaunt, anything in the neighborhood of 3 hours or less. A quick trip like this just doesn't justify the extra cost, since amenities like legroom are only really beneficial for longer travel.
b.Weekend Jump- These are trips between 3 and 5 hours in length, where the creature comforts become more important. There is where the first class starts paying off. It will effect how good you feel when you get off of the train, but you still have a cost-benefit decision to make. First class makes sense here if you've got the money to burn…
c.Cross Country- It's here, at the 5 hour travel mark, where first class moves from a luxury to a necessity. Now you're spending a lot of time in that seat, and the extra inches of legroom in first class are really going to pay off when you have to stand up again. Plus that extra comfort and quiet also means that some real rest is possible, which is especially important on long hauls.
2.To Eat or Not To Eat- On of the most indulgent/useful features of the Cisalpino in the restaurant car, which usually offers 2 seatings each of lunch and dinner. At about $12-20 dollars, the meals are not cheap, but they are of a surprisingly high quality. A soup to nuts restaurant meal with a nice wine selection and fresh food, this is a splurge that is well worth it if you are in for the long haul...snacking on chips and soda for 8 hours will only dehydrate you and make you feel horrible when you get off the train.
3.The Importance of Reservations- No matter what anyone tells you, get reservations for the Cisalpino and get them early. The train tends to fill up quickly, especially in the summer months of heavy tourism, and booking a few days in advance can mean the difference between an elegant train adventure and standing room only purgatory. Early reservations are cheap and easy to get, and can be booked at any rail station, and at specially marked travel agencies throughout Italy.
4.The Price Difference- Nothing in this life comes free, and that especially true with Italians, who up until those past year used to charge extra for the ketchup at their fast food restaurants. The luxuries of the Cisalpino come at a cost, about 10-25% greater than a regular Italian train, excluding the equally expensive Eurostar trains. Is the trip worth the extra expense? Without a doubt. With creature comforts and one of the most beautiful travelling routes in all of Northern Italy, the Cisalpino is the only line for those in the know. Splurge and get yourself a ticket, and never look back at the dingy old Ferrovia trains that you're used to.
5.Nicotine Unfriendly- For those who smoke, it is important to note that the Cisalpino is the only smoking unfriendly train in Italy. That means that you'll need to control your urges while on the trip, regardless of length. So what's the solution? Stops in larger cities last up to ten minutes; you'll see all of the smokers hope off the train to catch a quick one.
| 
